New doctors in Braintree will get “golden hellos” of up to £10,000 from next month to plug gaps at surgeries.

The Times reported in July about how Essex Local Medical Committee (LMC), which represents the county’s GPs, were considering the scheme.

It said there is a shortage of about 150 GPs in the county, with Braintree and Tendring particularly suffering.

The LMC has been given £400,000 from Health Education England and from November 1, plans to give a £5,000 bonus to new doctors who stay for at least two years.

They could receive another £2,500 depending on the area’s level of deprivation and an extra £2,500 depending on how short of doctors it is.

Dr Brian Balmer, chief executive of the Essex LMC, said: "We are hoping patient access to GPs will improve because at the moment people can't get an appointment because the surgery can't get a doctor," he said.

"If they're short of doctors, you get a queue."